Water-tight and air-tight zipper

ABSTRACT

A water-tight and air-tight zipper includes two elastically water-tight strips. The water-tight strips have two water-tight layers. Each water-tight layer is individually provided with a tooth row which is sewn on the correlative side thereof. The two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to each other, thereby engaging the two tooth rows with each other and forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling the zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight. The tooth rows are directly sewn on the water-tight strips, and thus a water-tight and air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby substantially simplifying the manufacturing process.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water-tight and air-tight zipper, andmore particularly to a water-tight and air-tight zipper which can bemanufactured by a simple manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional waterproof and airtight zipper, the fastener elementsare sewn or connected onto conventional tapes (or strips) which are madeby weaving or knitting synthetic resin fiber (such as polyamide andpolyester fiber) or cotton. Since the tapes are not waterproof andairtight and stretchable, there are variety of treatments need to beperformed on the tapes to result in waterproof and airtight effects. Forexample: U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,888 disclosed the dip-coating method byapplying polyurethane resin to cover the tapes and fastener element;U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,826 using injection molding method by applying thethermoplastic polyurethane to cover the tapes and fastener elements;U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,321 and 4,823,446 and 4,888,859 and 6,343,408 usingheating-press method applying the plastic elastomeric resin to cover thetapes; U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,294 using lamination and heating-press methodapplying two different melting point resin films to cover the tapes. Thezip fasteners of the above prior arts are waterproof and airtight butstill not stretchable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,416 described thenon-stretchable tapes of zip fastener are susceptible to separation tocreate a leakage path along the confronting edges under transversestresses or pressure and disclosed a fluid-tight slide fastener having astretchable property on the tape and yieldingly takes up the transversestresses to prevent the fastener from separation, the tape is made fromthe stretchable material threads such as spandex by weaving or knitting,and the tape are applied additional waterproof treatments as the aboveprior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention provides a water-tight andair-tight zipper which can be manufactured by a simple manner.

In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present inventionprovides a water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two elasticallywater-tight strips. The water-tight strips have upper and lowerwater-tight layers, wherein each upper water-tight layer is individuallyprovided with a zipper mechanism which is sewn on the correlative sideof the upper water-tight layer, each lower water-tight layer isconnected to the upper water-tight layer for sealing the gap between thetwo tooth row which is sewn on the upper water-tight layer, therebyforcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using theelasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and thencompletely air-tight and water-tight. The tooth rows are directly sewnon the water-tight strips, and thus a water-tight and air-tight zippercan be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby substantiallysimplifying the manufacturing process.

It is another object of the present invention provides a water-tight andair-tight zipper including water-tight strips 10 being elastic, wherebythe zipper is applied to an flexible, foldable or continuously flexibleobject.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages ofthe invention will be more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the capacity of a water-tightand air-tight zipper of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipperaccording to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, they depict a water-tight and air-tightzipper 1 according to an embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper1 includes two elastically water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip,nylon strip, etc.). The water-tight strips 10 have two water-tightlayers 11 (i.e. upper and lower water-tight layers 11), wherein eachupper water-tight layer 11 is individually provided with a tooth row 12of zipper mechanism which is sewn on the correlative side of the upperwater-tight layer 11, and stitches 111 are adapted for mounting thetooth row 12 to the upper water-tight layer 11. Each lower water-tightlayer 11 is connected to the upper water-tight layer 11 for sealing thegap between the two tooth row 12 which is sewn on the upper water-tightlayer 11, thereby having water-tight and air-tight functions. Also, acore rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The twotooth rows 12 have a plurality of teeth 13, and there is a proper toothdistance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both passthrough a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each other. Areceiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. Thesize of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the correspondingconnecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the two tooth rows 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, they depict the combined and uncombinedstructures of the above-mentioned zipper. When the two tooth rows 12 areengaged with each other by pulling a zipper pull 14, the connectingportions 16 of the two tooth rows 12 can be engaged with thecorresponding tooth distance between teeth 13 of the two tooth rows 12,whereby the connecting portions 16 is received in the receiving space 15so as to generate a cohesive force. The cohesive force forces edges 112of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formedbetween the edges 112 of the two water-tight strips 10 (shown in FIG. 2)because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby beingcompletely air-tight and water-tight. For above reason, the tooth rows12 are directly sewn on the water-tight strips 10, and thus awater-tight and air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner,thereby substantially simplifying the manufacturing process. Moreover,the water-tight strips 10 are elastic, whereby the zipper 1 is appliedto a flexible, foldable or continuously flexible object.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the teeth 13 can be continuously oval-shapedteeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 ofnon-continuous shape) or continuously rectangular teeth 13 (ornon-continuously rectangular teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuousshape) (shown in FIG. 4). The width of upper water-tight layer 11 issmaller than that of the lower water-tight layers 11, or the width oflower water-tight layer 11 can be smaller than that of the upperwater-tight layers 11.

Referring to FIG. 5, the water-tight strips 10 have one water-tightlayer 11. The water-tight layer 11 includes an edge 18 with apredetermined length. The edge 18 is downward folded and attached on aside of the water-tight layer 11 so as to form two water-tight layers.The tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism are sewn above the water-tightlayer 11.

Referring to FIG. 6, the water-tight strips 10 have one water-tightlayer 1. The water-tight layer 11 includes an edge 18 with apredetermined length. The edge 18 is upward folded and attached on aside of the water-tight layer 11 so as to form two water-tight layers.The tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism are sewn above the water-tightlayer 11.

Further referring to FIG. 10, each tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism issewn above each water-tight layer 11 and water-tight layer 11 iselastic, and thus the elastic deformation of the water-tight layer 11absorbs a part of pulling force when the water-tight layer 11 islaterally pulled by the pulling force. The rest of the pulling forcewill not directly affect the edge 18, and thus the stitches 111 of theedge 18 is not broken and then damaged by the stress formed by thepulling force. Accordingly, the capacity of the zipper 1 which resiststhe pulling force is increased.

Referring to FIG. 7, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1according to another embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper 1includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, nylon strip,etc.). The water-tight strips 10 have one water-tight layer 11. Thewater-tight layer 11 is folded and attached together, and anotherwater-tight layer 19 is disposed between the folded water-tight layers11 so as to form three water-tight layers. Each water-tight strip 10 isindividually provided with two tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism whichare respectively sewn above and under the water-tight strip 10, wherebythe water-tight layer 19 can seal the gap between the tooth rows 12 ofthe water-tight strip 10. A core rope 121 is individually disposed inthe tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have a plurality of continuouslyoval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth13 of non-continuous shape). There is a proper tooth distance betweenadjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull14 and are corresponding to each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receivingspace 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes aconnecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size of thereceiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding connectingportion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12are engaged with each other by pulling the zipper pull 14, therebyforcing edges 112 of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed. Thereis no gap formed between the edges of the two water-tight strips 10because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby beingcompletely air-tight and water-tight.

Referring to FIG. 8, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1according to an alternative embodiment of the prevent invention. The twowater-tight strips 10 are constituted by three water-tight layer (suchas inner water-tight layer 101, intermediate water-tight layer 103 andouter water-tight layer 102, wherein the inner and outer water-tightlayers 101, 102 are disposed above and under the intermediatewater-tight layer 103, the widths of the inner and outer water-tightlayers 101, 102 are smaller than that of the intermediate water-tightlayer 103. A tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn inthe inner and outer water-tight layers 101, 102.

Referring to FIG. 9, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1according to a further embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper 1includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, etc.) beingintegrally formed therewith. The water-tight strips 10 include a hollowmain body 17. The main body 17 has an accommodating space and two gaps171 respectively disposed upper and lower the accommodating space. Atooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in theaccommodating spaces of the water-tight strips 10. Stitches 111 passthrough the gaps 171, such that each tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism issewn in each accommodating space. Then, the gaps 171 are sealed by heat,thereby preventing from the permeation of water. A core rope 121 isindividually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have aplurality of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuouslyoval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape). There is aproper distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 bothpass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each other, shownin FIG. 1. A receiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and eachtooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front endthereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of thecorresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows12. The two tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling thezipper pull 14, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips 10to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of the twowater-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic,thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.

Referring to FIG. 11, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1according to a still further embodiment of the prevent invention. Thezipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, etc.)being integrally formed therewith. The water-tight strips 10 include ahollow main body 17. The main body 17 has an accommodating space and twogrooves respectively disposed upper and lower the accommodating space. Atooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in theaccommodating spaces of the water-tight strips 10. Stitches 111 passthrough the grooves, such that each tooth row 12 of zipper is sewn ineach accommodating space. Further, the grooves are filled withwater-tight material 172 for sealing the gap therebetween.

A core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The toothrows 12 have a plurality of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (ornon-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuousshape). There is a proper distance between adjacent teeth 13. The twotooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are correspondingto each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving space 15 is formed in eachtooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed atthe front end thereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger thanthat of the corresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of thetooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other bypulling the zipper pull 14, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tightstrips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of thetwo water-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 areelastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is not used to restrain the invention. It is to beunderstood that many other possible modifications and variations can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two elasticallywater-tight strips, characterized in that: the water-tight strips haveupper and lower water-tight layers, wherein each upper water-tight layeris individually provided with a zipper mechanism which is sewn on thecorrelative side of the upper water-tight layer, each lower water-tightlayer is connected to the upper water-tight layer for sealing the gapbetween the mechanisms sewn on the upper water-tight layer, therebyforcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using theelasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and thencompletely air-tight and water-tight.
 2. The water-tight and air-tightzipper according to claim 1, wherein each upper water-tight layer isindividually provided with a tooth row of the zipper mechanism sewn onthe correlative side of the upper water-tight layer, a core rope isindividually disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have aplurality of teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between adjacentteeth, the two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and arecorresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in each tooth,each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at the front endthereof, and the size of the receiving space is bigger than that of thecorresponding connecting portion of the teeth of the tooth rows.
 3. Thewater-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2, wherein the teethare continuously oval-shaped teeth or non-continuously oval-shapedteeth.
 4. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2,wherein the teeth are continuously rectangular teeth or non-continuouslyrectangular teeth.
 5. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according toclaim 2, wherein the teeth are teeth of non-continuous shape.
 6. Thewater-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 1, wherein thewater-tight layers includes an edge with a predetermined length, theedge is folded and attached on a side of the water-tight layer so as toform two water-tight layers, and tooth rows of the zipper mechanism aresewn above the water-tight layer.
 7. A water-tight and air-tight zippercomprising two water-tight strips, characterized in that: thewater-tight strips have one water-tight layer, the water-tight layer isfolded, and attached together, and another water-tight layer is disposedbetween the folded water-tight layer so as to form three water-tightlayers, each water-tight strip is individually provided with a zippermechanism sewn above and under the water-tight strip, and thus thewater-tight layer seals the gap between the water-tight strip, therebyforcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using theelasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and thencompletely air-tight and water-tight.
 8. The water-tight and air-tightzipper according to claim 7, wherein each water-tight strip isindividually provided with two tooth row of the zipper mechanism whichare respectively sewn above and under the water-tight strip, a core ropeis individually disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have aplurality of teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between adjacentteeth, the two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and arecorresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in each tooth,each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at the front endthereof, and the size of the receiving space is bigger than that of thecorresponding connecting portion of the teeth of the tooth rows.
 9. Thewater-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8, wherein the teethare continuously oval-shaped teeth or non-continuously oval-shapedteeth.
 10. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8,wherein the teeth are continuously rectangular teeth or non-continuouslyrectangular teeth.
 11. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according toclaim 8, wherein the teeth are teeth of non-continuous shape.
 12. Awater-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight strips beingintegrally formed therewith, characterized in that: the water-tightstrips includes a hollow main body, the main body has an accommodatingspace and two gaps respectively disposed upper and lower theaccommodating space, a zipper mechanism is individually sewn in theaccommodating spaces of the water-tight strips, stitches pass throughthe gaps such that each zipper mechanism is sewn in each accommodatingspace, and the gaps are sealed by heat, thereby preventing from thepermeation of water, forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to besealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling azipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight.
 13. Thewater-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 12, wherein a toothrow of the zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodatingspaces of the water-tight strips, a core rope is individually disposedin the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a plurality of teeth, thereis a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth, the two tooth rowsboth pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to each other, areceiving space is formed in each tooth, each tooth includes aconnecting portion disposed at the front end thereof, and the size ofthe receiving space is bigger than that of the corresponding connectingportion of the teeth of the tooth rows.
 14. The water-tight andair-tight zipper according to claim 13, wherein the teeth arecontinuously oval-shaped teeth or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.15. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight stripsbeing integrally formed therewith, characterized in that: thewater-tight strips includes a hollow main body, the main body has anaccommodating space and two grooves respectively disposed upper andlower the accommodating space, a tooth row of zipper mechanism isindividually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips,stitches pass through the grooves such that each tooth row of zipper issewn in each accommodating space, and the grooves are filled withwater-tight material for sealing a gap therebetween, thereby forcingedges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticityof water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completelyair-tight and water-tight.